ACEEEO Calendar

Institutional Capacity Building in ACEEEO Region with BRIDGE Methodology

In 2011 ACEEEO conducts a regional Institutional Capacity Building program with BRIDGE methodology, supported by IFES via a sub-regional grant.

What is BRIGDE?

BRIDGE stands for Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections. It is a modular professional development program with a particular focus on electoral processes. BRIDGE represents a unique initiative where five leading organisations in the democracy and governance field have jointly committed to developing, implementing and maintaining the most comprehensive curriculum and workshop package available, designed to be used as a tool within a broader capacity development framework.

Project Background

Based on the experiences of the last 20 years ACEEEO identified those most burning challenges of the Election Management Bodies that can be addressed during a capacity building program and where gradual development can be started and maintained. Based on the needs assessment survey we carried out in late 2009, ACEEEO Secretariat proposes to conduct an institutional capacity building for ACEEEO member election management bodies. We find the BRIDGE methodology a great tool to be used for capacity building projects for election administration departments.

Objectives

Within our Central and Eastern European region election management bodies are already aware of the standards of conducting free and fair elections however we find that achieving these standards, developing and sustaining the high level electoral administration needs continuous capacity building for the staff of central and local bodies. Effective capacity building may show the differences between diverse ideas and implementation methodology during the training itself, addressing the defined key areas of need (inquiry conducted in 2009). Under a guiding overall objective – namely to enhance the capacity of the local and national election administration institutions' personnel in order to effectively safeguard credible elections – ACEEEO's present project aims to achieve the following objectives: (1) offer the possibility for our regional partners to participate in a Train the Facilitator (TtF) BRIDGE training in order that these EMBs could realize effective capacity buildings on their own language in the future; also for the local bodies' staff, conducted by their own facilitators; (2) this training and facilitation opportunity raises the activity of our member states within the Association initiatives (local ACE and BRIDGE focal points, easier information exchange).

Scope of the project

Within the frame of this program, we planned to have three main activities: the first was the BRIDGE showcase organised on the 3rd day of the jubilee conference, on June 18 2011.

The second and third activity will be held in Budapest, Hungary, as it follows:

Curriculum for the introduction of electoral administration: Standards, principles and management techniques that are fundamental to good electoral practice; Foundation module for further deepening study of elections in the specialized modules of the BRIDGE curriculum.

Curriculum for strategic and financial planning: Planning and project management skills that underpin any successful electoral Endeavour; Foundation module for the operational planning thematic group of modules of the BRIDGE curriculum.

• ACEEEO offers 6 places for international organisations/self-funded participants for this program. For this 5 days workshop participation fee is 600 USD (gross amount)/participant. This includes workshop related coasts, coffee breaks, lunches and dinners. Travel expenses and accommodation shall be covered by the sending organisation as well.

• This workshop offers the opportunity to experience what is a BRIDGE what are the advantages of its work methodology

• The workshop will be carried out in English

• Application sheets can be requested from the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Training description: BRIDGE modules are the core of the BRIDGE curriculum. The aim of the modules is professional development in 24 curriculum areas. It is suitable for all stakeholders in the electoral process, from electoral administrators to political contestants, members of the media, academics and others.

The Train the Facilitator training is designed specifically to train BRIDGE facilitators. It does not provide electoral training and information. Nominees for a TtF should have a training background, and be prepared to be involved in a broader BRIDGE program which will deliver the BRIDGE modules.

Accreditation to become a BRIDGE facilitator involves three steps:

a) Participation in a BRIDGE workshop as a participant. This is to familiarise the candidate with the BRIDGE methodology, and to ensure that they know what being a BRIDGE facilitator involves and whether it is definitely a path they want to follow.

b) Completion of a BRIDGE 'Train the Facilitator' workshop. This is a two-week workshop focusing on teaching trainers how to deliver BRIDGE using the BRIDGE methodology.

c) Completion of sufficient supervised facilitation of BRIDGE workshops in the field.

• We offer 6 places for international organisations/self-funded participants for this program. For the 10 days training participation fee is 2000 USD (gross amount)/participant. This includes workshop related coasts, coffee breaks, lunches and dinners. Travel expenses and accommodation shall be covered by the sending organisation as well.

• by participating on the workshop participants will become semi-accredited BRIDGE facilitators, who can earn their full accreditation in the future

• The training will be on English

• Please fill the attached application sheet and send it back to the Secretariat.

• Due date of application: 30 September 2011

Should you have any questions regarding this program, or need further information please don't hesitate to contact Ms. Anna Sólyom, Project Manager of the BRIDGE Project, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .